NCAA Football Week 9: Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma St. Cowboys

UT Longhorns continue to run the Big 12 gauntlet against the unbending offensive attack of the Oklahoma State Cowboys

Longhorns vs. Cowboys Overview:

A blowout win over the 11th ranked Missouri Tigers means that fans with Texas Longhorns tickets can celebrate another week of their team being No. 1 in the nation. Heisman favorite QB Colt McCoy and Loft Award nominee DE Brian Orakpo have become two of the NCAA’s biggest stars. Under brilliant head coach Mike Gundy, the Oklahoma State Cowboys are setting school records and have one of the best offenses in college football. With the Big 12 and the BCS Championship on the line, this Big 12 matchup is bigger than most BCS Bowl Games.

Texas Longhorns Offense:

The spread offense of the Texas Longhorns is built around Colt McCoy. Even though he is not a huge man and he doesn’t have a cannon for an arm, Colt McCoy could be the best QB in the NCAA. With an accurate arm, good football IQ, and the ability to scramble to buy time and get a ton of yards, Colt McCoy is earning his Heisman Trophy shot week in and week out. WR Jordan Shipley is the favorite target of Colt McCoy with WR Quan Cosby stretching the field as a deep threat. RB Chris Ogbonnaya has become a star as a senior and is another receiving threat.

Texas Longhorns Defense:

Fans with Texas Longhorns tickets know they have the best defensive player in college football with DE Brian Orakpo. A deadly pass rusher and penetrator on run plays, Brian Orakpo has the speed to chase down running backs and the strength to bull over offensive linemen. With so much focus on Brian Orakpo, DT Roy Miller is able to make plays from the interior of the line. OLB Roddrick Muckelroy is a stud and moves like a defensive back along with the rest of the quick Texas Longhorns linebackers. The great front seven protects a young but talented secondary.

Oklahoma State Cowboys Offense:

The Oklahoma State Cowboys rank fifth in the nation in rushing offense, and much of this is thanks to their brilliant offensive line. RB Kendall Hunter is just shy of the 1,000-yard mark and is a big reason for the success of the Oklahoma State Cowboys so far. QB Zach Robinson is another beastly offensive force and looks down the field often for his dangerous WR Dez Bryant. From the offensive line to the skill positions, the Oklahoma State Cowboys offense is skilled and young. This gives the Oklahoma State Cowboys great longevity for the future as well.

Oklahoma State Cowboys Defense:

The Oklahoma State Cowboys defense is a good mix of pure talent and veteran leadership. CB Jacob Lacey is the “old man” of the defense and has seen everything that the Texas Longhorns can throw at them. LB/Rover Andre Sexton hunts down running backs and tight ends in the open field and is starting to grow as a leader on the defense. DE Ugo Chinasa is only a sophomore but is a pure talent with limitless potential. Much like their offense, the Oklahoma State Cowboys defense is built on speed and big plays.

Texas Longhorns Keys to Victory:

Keeping Colt McCoy clean and comfortable is the best plan for the Texas Longhorns. The excellent offensive line doesn’t need to maintain a pocket at all times since Colt McCoy likes to move around, but they must protect on bootlegs and rollouts. RB Chris Ogbonnaya doesn’t need to put up a ton of yards on the ground, but his role in screens and as a safety valve for Colt McCoy will be invaluable. WR Quan Cosby needs to run plenty of deep routes to open up the passing and running games underneath.

The Texas Longhorns defense is facing a spread offense so the defensive line must mind their gaps, and the linebackers have to fill. QB Zach Robinson is a shifty runner and will try and escape the pocket whenever possible. DE Brian Orakpo is guaranteed double teams on every play at this point, but he can’t let that stop him. Brian Orakpo should be able to flush Zach Robinson from the pocket, and it will be up to linebackers like Sergio Kindle to make the stop. Penetration will be the best defense against Kendall Hunter coming off shotgun sweeps and draws.

OSU Cowboys Keys to Victory:

Getting the ball to Kendall Hunter has been the basis for the Oklahoma State Cowboys offense, and this will not change. Using the misdirection and deception of the spread offense, Kendall Hunter should be able to find some good running lanes but with the speed of the Texas Longhorns defense, he cannot afford to dance in the hole and must go up field. A strong running game will also keep Brian Orakpo occupied and away from Zach Robinson. The Oklahoma State Cowboys need to target and wear down Brian Orakpo in the first half so he is gassed in the second.

Containing Colt McCoy will take a similar approach to what the Texas Longhorns are doing to stop Zach Robinson. The Texas Longhorns do not have a running game at the same level as the Oklahoma State Cowboys, so they can focus more on the pass. Inside pressure will reduce Colt McCoy’s running options and will also cut into his field of vision. A QB spy is pretty much mandatory against Colt McCoy, and Andre Sexton is ideal for this search-and-destroy position. The Oklahoma State Cowboys need to stay at home to counter screens and draws.

Longhorns vs. Cowboys Outlook:

Hosting the Oklahoma State Cowboys, Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium will be filled to the brim with Burnt Orange fans with Texas Longhorns tickets. The hostile atmosphere is nothing new for the Oklahoma State Cowboys as they went into the Missouri Tigers home and soundly defeated the heavily favored Mizzou Tigers. As the entire NCAA season has proven, the number in front of the team name means nothing when it comes to actual play on the field.

It will be the clichéd strength vs. strength as the dominant running attack of the Oklahoma State Cowboys meets the top-level rush defense of the Texas Longhorns. The Oklahoma State Cowboys are making history, and they are not ready for their Cinderella story to come to an end, not with the Big 12 Title so close. Fans with Texas Longhorns tickets may cheer for Colt McCoy, but Brian Orakpo and the defense will win this game. The Oklahoma State Cowboys will come closer than any opponent to beating the Texas Longhorns but will come up just short of the upset.